In the latest announcements from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, outdoor attractions where clients remain in their cars, such as safari parks and drive-in cinemas, will be allowed to reopen as there is a low risk of COVID-19 transmission. The announcements were good news for stakeholders in Chester Zoo, and indeed other zoos nationwide, as the Prime Minister revealed that they too will be allowed to reopen, subject to social distancing measures being in place.
Indoor exhibitions, such as reptile houses, will remain closed once zoos reopen, and amenities such as cafes must be in line with the government’s wider guidance and offer take away services only.
The news comes as a relief to all involved with Chester Zoo, as earlier this month the attraction revealed its struggles with the lockdown imposed with UK Government. The attraction was set to be in debt in excess of £24 million by the end of the year, with £1.6 million needed to be raised each month to ensure the animals could be looked after and the park remain operational behind the scenes.
The decision to keep zoos closed as other attractions started to reopen evoked a huge public response, as Chester Zoo revealed they would be forced to close permanently by autumn if they could not open to the public soon. The public fundraising appeal from Chester Zoo raised more than £3 million in under a week, helping make up some of the lost revenue, as 97% of income comes from ticket admissions alone.
In a statement on their website, Chester Zoo said “There’s no denying that we have suffered severe financial damage over the past three months and the road to recovery will be long and uncertain. But, your incredibly kind donations, animal adoptions and memberships have given us a vital lifeline.”
Chester Zoo announced in May that they had made the changes needed to comply with government regulations, installing an array of new physical safety measures to enforce social distancing rules and avoid contamination. Self-scanning ticket lanes, floor markings to clearly indicate 2-metre distances, multiple hand sanitisation points, signage and protective screens have all been applied to key areas of the park, where guests have 128 acres of the site to explore.
The decision to relax restrictions on select outdoor attractions is part of the careful approach taken by the UK government to ease the lockdown in phases, guided by scientific and medical advice.
